Nova's new pad

Second location of popular bakery returns to South End

When I want freshly made, crusty and soft, local bread or a flaky croissant straight from the oven, I have two options: make it myself or make the drive to Plaza Midwood for a stop at Nova's Bakery. Sure, I could purchase Nova's goods at my local Harris Teeter, but there's just something about getting it straight from the bakery and knowing that my purchase was freshly made that morning.

The options have expanded for my fellow neighbors in the South End area recently, with the opening of a new Nova's Bakery on South Boulevard. I sat down over an iced coffee and the yeasty wafts of homemade bread with Tanja Novakovic, whose family owns both locations, to chat about the new location.

According to Novakovic, this isn't the first time Nova's has had a storefront in South End; it was the site of the flagship store in 1996. In fact, when Nova's moved to Plaza Midwood in 1999, many of their customers followed them, happy to make the extra effort to drive across town for the familiar bread. Novakovic, a culinary school graduate from Johnson and Wales, says that her family has always wanted to return to the neighborhood where it all started.

So what's different about the new spot? Folks will be able to enjoy the exact same pastries, sweets, coffee and organic bread as the Central Avenue location; however, Nova's on South is open 24 hours a day, making it a convenient stop for the diverse community of South End.

"We see a lot of young adults who come here after the clubs, as well as a lot of police officers and taxi drivers late at night," Novakovic says. "Joggers are here early in the morning."

Because of the high-foot traffic, the Novakovics are also hoping to draw out the community more with special events in the evening, such as poet showcases, local band performances and more. You'll also see updates to the menu. "Everyone comes in and asks for sandwiches, but that's not something we do," Novakovic says. Patrons will soon, however, be able to nosh on cheese and bread plates while they sip on some wine from their selection of bottles. The menu expansion is slated to occur in early November.

Nova's Bakery's new location is located at 1515 South Blvd. and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact them at 704-372-8999 or at www.novasbakery.com.

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